While an unsolicited explanation to the average golfer of all the rules that they are breaking might be a more sure-fire way to piss people off, following ALL the RULES ALL THE TIME is sure to create some awkward situations when you are playing with less rules conscious players (the majority of the golfing public IMO).

On Sunday, I was grouped with a threesome playing only the front nine and joined another threesome on the 16th tee. I stood +3 at the time and proceeded to birdie 16 and par 17. A birdie on the reachable par 5 18 would give me a 72, bettering my previous course best (the two 73s I shot at the Keystone River course last season). Unfortunately, I pull hook my drive and it hits the cart path and takes a big bounce into the trees. I then hit a provisional on the fairway close to the 150 marker.

Thinking that I could punch out and still make birdie if I find my first one, I look for and find it. Unfortunately, I have no shot with thick trees in front of me and low hanging branches interfering with even a simple chip out. There are no good drops within two club lengths and going straight back doesn't make it much easier as the open area about 20 yards back has nothing straight ahead and a less than clear chip out going sideways/backwards. While in hindsight I would have been better off not looking for my original ball, my best option under the rules is to go back to the tee hitting 3.

The rest of the group has already hit their second shots and going back to the tee will put me about 400 yards behind them, so I try to chip out sideways but catch the low hanging branches and whiff. I then announce that I am going to go back to the tee and hit another at which point one of the guys says that I already did that (with my provisional). I explain that the provisional was no longer an option once I found my original, go back to the tee and make a par 5 on that ball for a triple bogey to card a legit 76.

All in all, the guys didn't show their frustration too much but made a couple comments about me travelling two miles to play the hole and not following all the rules themselves.

I have said this before, but will say it again- I think the rules of golf could be greatly simplified without changing the basic nature/challenge of the game. The current rules are followed by so few golfers that following the rules makes you an oddball.

Well i would say this, i would inform anybody who doesn't know you that you follow strict rules of golf, meaning you will take stroke and distance. In a time were that is becoming the slim minority, i think its a very good idea to do so, this way they know what to expect. No sense in getting into an arguement over it later one. At least this way you can say you warned them ahead of time.

I agree, following strict rules of golf is becoming such a minority you do get strange looks from people who have no clue what your talking about. As a person who's played competative golf at some point in my life, i understand why you had to go back. But there is probably a ton of people who wouldn't get that concept because they are ignorant to the rules of golf.

If I read your sequence of events right you weren't allowed to go back to the tee and hit another one after you had the whiff for your second shot. Once you did that you had to play from the spot in the trees.

If I read your sequence of events right you weren't allowed to go back to the tee and hit another one after you had the whiff for your second shot. Once you did that you had to play from the spot in the trees.

Trying to play by the rules can sometimes be harder than we think. You were right except that you decided to ignore the whiff. And, you'd have been better off not finding your first ball but alas, you do need to look for it. You can not simply ignore it and play your provisional.

The rest of the group has already hit their second shots and going back to the tee will put me about 400 yards behind them, so I try to chip out sideways but catch the low hanging branches and whiff. I then announce that I am going to go back to the tee and hit another at which point one of the guys says that I already did that (with my provisional). I explain that the provisional was no longer an option once I found my original, go back to the tee and make a par 5 on that ball for a triple bogey to card a legit 76.

I have been thinking about this as well. Once you whiff, what are your new relief options or are they the same? I am thinking your option to go back to the tee is now void. Does anyone know for sure?

While an unsolicited explanation to the average golfer of all the rules that they are breaking might be a more sure-fire way to piss people off, following ALL the RULES ALL THE TIME is sure to create some awkward situations when you are playing with less rules conscious players (the majority of the golfing public IMO).

On Sunday, I was grouped with a threesome playing only the front nine and joined another threesome on the 16th tee. I stood +3 at the time and proceeded to birdie 16 and par 17. A birdie on the reachable par 5 18 would give me a 72, bettering my previous course best (the two 73s I shot at the Keystone River course last season). Unfortunately, I pull hook my drive and it hits the cart path and takes a big bounce into the trees. I then hit a provisional on the fairway close to the 150 marker.

Thinking that I could punch out and still make birdie if I find my first one, I look for and find it. Unfortunately, I have no shot with thick trees in front of me and low hanging branches interfering with even a simple chip out. There are no good drops within two club lengths and going straight back doesn't make it much easier as the open area about 20 yards back has nothing straight ahead and a less than clear chip out going sideways/backwards. While in hindsight I would have been better off not looking for my original ball, my best option under the rules is to go back to the tee hitting 3.

The rest of the group has already hit their second shots and going back to the tee will put me about 400 yards behind them, so I try to chip out sideways but catch the low hanging branches and whiff. I then announce that I am going to go back to the tee and hit another at which point one of the guys says that I already did that (with my provisional). I explain that the provisional was no longer an option once I found my original, go back to the tee and make a par 5 on that ball for a triple bogey to card a legit 76.

All in all, the guys didn't show their frustration too much but made a couple comments about me travelling two miles to play the hole and not following all the rules themselves.

I have said this before, but will say it again- I think the rules of golf could be greatly simplified without changing the basic nature/challenge of the game. The current rules are followed by so few golfers that following the rules makes you an oddball.

Once you whiffed in making a stroke at the original ball, returning to the tee was no longer an option. If it was a water hazard, then you would still have the option of returning to the spot where you last played a stroke from outside of the hazard, but that option does not exist under Rule 28 because the ball lies through the green. In this case I'd have simply picked up and marked my ESC score for handicap. That appears to be where you were headed anyway. That may not be as satisfying for you, but it's realistically the score you would have most likely have ended up with, and that's how you correctly score for handicap on an unfinished hole. Also, your playing companions would have had no reason to be disgruntled.

Trying to play by the rules can sometimes be harder than we think. You were right except that you decided to ignore the whiff. And, you'd have been better off not finding your first ball but alas, you do need to look for it. You can not simply ignore it and play your provisional.

Actually its more technical then that,

"Q.At a par-3 hole, a player hits his tee shot into dense woods. He then hits a provisional ball which comes to rest near the hole. In view of the position of the provisional ball, the player does not wish to find his original ball. He does not search for it and walks directly towards his provisional ball to continue play with it. His opponent (or fellow-competitor) believes it would be beneficial to him if the original ball were found. May the opponent (or fellow-competitor) search for the player's ball?

A.Yes. In equity (Rule 1-4), he may search for five minutes provided that in the meantime the player does not play a stroke with the provisional ball, it being nearer the hole than the place where the original ball is likely to be. The player is entitled to play such a stroke. If he does, the original ball is then lost under Rule 27-2b and further search for it would serve no purpose. In match play, if the player so proceeds and his provisional ball is closer to the hole than his opponent's ball, his opponent may recall the stroke (Rule 10-1c). However, recalling the stroke would not change the status of the original ball, which was lost when the provisional ball was played out of turn. See also Decision 27-2c/2."

So yes, a player doesn't have to search for a ball. But an opponent can. He is then given 5 minutes to complete this task, or before the other player plays his ball. Though if the player plays out of turn, lets say he hits in the tap in. He has still played that ball and the first ball is out of play. Though the opponent then can go by Rule 10 and have him replace that tap-in, negating the stroke, and wait for his turn. But it doesn't stop the fact that the provisional was played and the 1st ball deemed lost.

This happened to Phil a few years ago, he jacked a tee shot left. He told people not to go find it. He was going to go play his provisional. Well a spectator found his ball before 5 minutes and before he played his provisional. Phil had to go back to the tee box and play a new ball.

Once you whiffed in making a stroke at the original ball, returning to the tee was no longer an option. If it was a water hazard, then you would still have the option of returning to the spot where you last played a stroke from outside of the hazard, but that option does not exist under Rule 28 because the ball lies through the green. In this case I'd have simply picked up and marked my ESC score for handicap. That appears to be where you were headed anyway. That may not be as satisfying for you, but it's realistically the score you would have most likely have ended up with, and that's how you correctly score for handicap on an unfinished hole.

Right. While I commend Mefree for wanting to play by all of the rules, all of the time, it seems like in this case there was nothing left to gain. He wasn't going to shoot a personal best. Nothing he did after that whiff was going to result in anything under an ESC score anyway, so I would have just gone to the ball in the fairway to finish the hole, then mark my 7, and go home. I would have actually taken it one step further and just counted my provisional as a second tee shot. As soon as I decided that my best option was to go re-tee, I would have, in the interest of time and out of courtesy to others, just played the one that was already in the fairway. I understand that that would not fly in a tournament, but in a casual round I'm playing by myself where nothing is on the line, the fact that I've already hit a shot from the correct location would be good enough.

To the OP and in regards to the title of the thread ... I think it was probably mostly due to the fact that you only joined up two holes prior. It frequently happens that I hit a very poor drive on an early hole, and when playing with strangers it's also not uncommon for them to urge me to take a mulligan. Once they realize that I'm one of "those guys" who doesn't take mulligans and preferred lies, they stop bothering.

Quote:

This happened to Phil a few years ago, he jacked a tee shot left. He told people not to go find it. He was going to go play his provisional. Well a spectator found his ball before 5 minutes and before he played his provisional. Phil had to go back to the tee box and play a new ball.

Boy, sometimes I remember the randomest things. This was at Torrey Pines, and it was on the 17th hole, I believe during a playoff, with Frank Lickliter. I don't remember the year, but I'll guess somewhere in the 05-06-07 range. And it wasn't actually a spectator, because the canyon to the left of the fairway isn't outside the ropes, but rather, a good samaritan marshal - or some other 'helpful' person with a badge.

Once you whiffed in making a stroke at the original ball, returning to the tee was no longer an option. If it was a water hazard, then you would still have the option of returning to the spot where you last played a stroke from outside of the hazard, but that option does not exist under Rule 28 because the ball lies through the green. In this case I'd have simply picked up and marked my ESC score for handicap. That appears to be where you were headed anyway. That may not be as satisfying for you, but it's realistically the score you would have most likely have ended up with, and that's how you correctly score for handicap on an unfinished hole. Also, your playing companions would have had no reason to be disgruntled.

Rick,

If this were to be played out according to the rules, he could of declared unplayable before the stroke attempt and returned to tee for relief (Provisional is not a factor). Once he whiffed he was in the Kevin Na zone and really limited the options available since the relief from the unplayable may be just as bad. Is this correct?

Once you whiffed in making a stroke at the original ball, returning to the tee was no longer an option. If it was a water hazard, then you would still have the option of returning to the spot where you last played a stroke from outside of the hazard, but that option does not exist under Rule 28 because the ball lies through the green. In this case I'd have simply picked up and marked my ESC score for handicap. That appears to be where you were headed anyway. That may not be as satisfying for you, but it's realistically the score you would have most likely have ended up with, and that's how you correctly score for handicap on an unfinished hole. Also, your playing companions would have had no reason to be disgruntled.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golfingdad

Right. While I commend Mefree for wanting to play by all of the rules, all of the time, it seems like in this case there was nothing left to gain. He wasn't going to shoot a personal best. Nothing he did after that whiff was going to result in anything under an ESC score anyway, so I would have just gone to the ball in the fairway to finish the hole, then mark my 7, and go home. I would have actually taken it one step further and just counted my provisional as a second tee shot. As soon as I decided that my best option was to go re-tee, I would have, in the interest of time and out of courtesy to others, just played the one that was already in the fairway.

I'm with these two guys. I don't really understand the point of playing strict rules of golf under these specific circumstances. This was not a tournament where the actual gross/net score counts for something, and when you are assured of no longer posting a score better than allowable under ESC, pace of play takes precedence in my opinion. Considering the guy already hit a provisional, there is no doubt that I would have played that ball and posted my "7" regardless of what happened with the 2nd ball.

It cannot be stressed enough, this round/score mattered for nothing other than handicap purposes. Therefore when ESC comes into play, wasting another 5 minutes trying to adhere strictly to the rules of golf is unnecessary, IMO. If he still had a chance of a personal best, my opinion would change.

I respect guys who play by the rules though. I get tired of hearing people I'm partnered with tell me about how they sometimes score in the 70s when they clearly don't have the game for it, but then notice they use foot wedges and take mulligans or gimmes. I just prefer that in casual rounds, guys who strictly adhere to rules do so while paying mind to pace of play as well. In other words, if you're the kinda guy who will go back to the tee from the fairway during a saturday morning round with buddies, then always hit a provisional when there's any uncertainty.

I'm with these two guys. I don't really understand the point of playing strict rules of golf under these specific circumstances. This was not a tournament where the actual gross/net score counts for something, and when you are assured of no longer posting a score better than allowable under ESC, pace of play takes precedence in my opinion. Considering the guy already hit a provisional, there is no doubt that I would have played that ball and posted my "7" regardless of what happened with the 2nd ball.

It cannot be stressed enough, this round/score mattered for nothing other than handicap purposes. Therefore when ESC comes into play, wasting another 5 minutes trying to adhere strictly to the rules of golf is unnecessary, IMO. If he still had a chance of a personal best, my opinion would change.

I respect guys who play by the rules though. I get tired of hearing people I'm partnered with tell me about how they sometimes score in the 70s when they clearly don't have the game for it, but then notice they use foot wedges and take mulligans or gimmes. I just prefer that in casual rounds, guys who strictly adhere to rules do so while paying mind to pace of play as well. In other words, if you're the kinda guy who will go back to the tee from the fairway during a saturday morning round with buddies, then always hit a provisional when there's any uncertainty.

bolded is called common logic...it is why people get po'ed at guys playing "the rules of golf" if you are in a tournament fine, if you are in a big money game and that is the way you all play fine, if you meet up with a couple of singles or join a randome group use your head.

I'm with these two guys. I don't really understand the point of playing strict rules of golf under these specific circumstances. This was not a tournament where the actual gross/net score counts for something, and when you are assured of no longer posting a score better than allowable under ESC, pace of play takes precedence in my opinion. Considering the guy already hit a provisional, there is no doubt that I would have played that ball and posted my "7" regardless of what happened with the 2nd ball.

It cannot be stressed enough, this round/score mattered for nothing other than handicap purposes. Therefore when ESC comes into play, wasting another 5 minutes trying to adhere strictly to the rules of golf is unnecessary, IMO. If he still had a chance of a personal best, my opinion would change.

I respect guys who play by the rules though. I get tired of hearing people I'm partnered with tell me about how they sometimes score in the 70s when they clearly don't have the game for it, but then notice they use foot wedges and take mulligans or gimmes. I just prefer that in casual rounds, guys who strictly adhere to rules do so while paying mind to pace of play as well. In other words, if you're the kinda guy who will go back to the tee from the fairway during a saturday morning round with buddies, then always hit a provisional when there's any uncertainty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lefty-Golfer

bolded is called common logic...it is why people get po'ed at guys playing "the rules of golf" if you are in a tournament fine, if you are in a big money game and that is the way you all play fine, if you meet up with a couple of singles or join a randome group use your head.

Well, I haven't read anywhere yet where he said going back to the tee caused some type of inconvenience to other players on the course. I don't think anyone can just assume that he went back to the tee and held up a group, or groups, resulting in negatively impacting the pace of play for others.

I agree with bplewis in that I would tend to be more lenient on myself with rules if I group up with others, or play a casual round. If we are playing for $10+ a hole though, you're damn right we're playing by the USGA bible. A typical Saturday outing with my boys in this situation would have simply resulted in a 7, even if a few drinks are on the line.

I guess I am just adaptable and flexible to the rules though. I've had strict USGA thumpers tell me I am not playing golf when I don't follow the commandments to a "T" while playing an unofficial round, to which I can only reply with a tip of my beer and a laugh. I won't get on anyone who does decide to do so though, so long as they are not being overly dramatic about it and repeatedly holding my game up - again, when it is an unofficial round.

"Q.At a par-3 hole, a player hits his tee shot into dense woods. He then hits a provisional ball which comes to rest near the hole. In view of the position of the provisional ball, the player does not wish to find his original ball. He does not search for it and walks directly towards his provisional ball to continue play with it. His opponent (or fellow-competitor) believes it would be beneficial to him if the original ball were found. May the opponent (or fellow-competitor) search for the player's ball?

A.Yes. In equity (Rule 1-4), he may search for five minutes provided that in the meantime the player does not play a stroke with the provisional ball, it being nearer the hole than the place where the original ball is likely to be. The player is entitled to play such a stroke. If he does, the original ball is then lost under Rule 27-2b and further search for it would serve no purpose. In match play, if the player so proceeds and his provisional ball is closer to the hole than his opponent's ball, his opponent may recall the stroke (Rule 10-1c). However, recalling the stroke would not change the status of the original ball, which was lost when the provisional ball was played out of turn. See also Decision 27-2c/2."

So yes, a player doesn't have to search for a ball. But an opponent can. He is then given 5 minutes to complete this task, or before the other player plays his ball. Though if the player plays out of turn, lets say he hits in the tap in. He has still played that ball and the first ball is out of play. Though the opponent then can go by Rule 10 and have him replace that tap-in, negating the stroke, and wait for his turn. But it doesn't stop the fact that the provisional was played and the 1st ball deemed lost.

This happened to Phil a few years ago, he jacked a tee shot left. He told people not to go find it. He was going to go play his provisional. Well a spectator found his ball before 5 minutes and before he played his provisional. Phil had to go back to the tee box and play a new ball.

Thanks. I was "sure" you had to a least fain an attempt at looking. Seems like another odd rule since it sort of gives you the choice to use your provisional instead of a clear objective situation.

"Q.At a par-3 hole, a player hits his tee shot into dense woods. He then hits a provisional ball which comes to rest near the hole. In view of the position of the provisional ball, the player does not wish to find his original ball. He does not search for it and walks directly towards his provisional ball to continue play with it. His opponent (or fellow-competitor) believes it would be beneficial to him if the original ball were found. May the opponent (or fellow-competitor) search for the player's ball?

A.Yes. In equity (Rule 1-4), he may search for five minutes provided that in the meantime the player does not play a stroke with the provisional ball, it being nearer the hole than the place where the original ball is likely to be. The player is entitled to play such a stroke. If he does, the original ball is then lost under Rule 27-2b and further search for it would serve no purpose. In match play, if the player so proceeds and his provisional ball is closer to the hole than his opponent's ball, his opponent may recall the stroke (Rule 10-1c). However, recalling the stroke would not change the status of the original ball, which was lost when the provisional ball was played out of turn. See also Decision 27-2c/2."

So yes, a player doesn't have to search for a ball. But an opponent can. He is then given 5 minutes to complete this task, or before the other player plays his ball. Though if the player plays out of turn, lets say he hits in the tap in. He has still played that ball and the first ball is out of play. Though the opponent then can go by Rule 10 and have him replace that tap-in, negating the stroke, and wait for his turn. But it doesn't stop the fact that the provisional was played and the 1st ball deemed lost.

This happened to Phil a few years ago, he jacked a tee shot left. He told people not to go find it. He was going to go play his provisional. Well a spectator found his ball before 5 minutes and before he played his provisional. Phil had to go back to the tee box and play a new ball.

Thanks. I was "sure" you had to a least fain an attempt at looking. Seems like another odd rule since it sort of gives you the choice to use your provisional instead of a clear objective situation.

It really isn't making a choice between two balls though and that's all the rules care about. Since you don't know the precise situation of the original ball, you are simply choosing to not find out. Once the original ball is found, then you lose the option of playing with the provisional ball because rules do not allow you to choose between two balls in play. The rules don't allow a player to have more than one ball in play at a time.

It really isn't making a choice between two balls though and that's all the rules care about. Since you don't know the precise situation of the original ball, you are simply choosing to not find out. Once the original ball is found, then you lose the option of playing with the provisional ball because rules do not allow you to choose between two balls in play. The rules don't allow a player to have more than one ball in play at a time.

I understand you and the rule. However, as you outlined, if your provisional is awesome, you can choose not to look for the first ball and play the provisional before anyone else finds it. If your provisional stinks, you are likely to spend the five minutes searching. Sounds sort of like a choice to me. Wouldn't be the only rule I think is a bad rule.

It really isn't making a choice between two balls though and that's all the rules care about. Since you don't know the precise situation of the original ball, you are simply choosing to not find out. Once the original ball is found, then you lose the option of playing with the provisional ball because rules do not allow you to choose between two balls in play. The rules don't allow a player to have more than one ball in play at a time.

I understand you and the rule. However, as you outlined, if your provisional is awesome, you can choose not to look for the first ball and play the provisional before anyone else finds it. If your provisional stinks, you are likely to spend the five minutes searching. Sounds sort of like a choice to me. Wouldn't be the only rule I think is a bad rule.

It's only a choice of procedures, not of balls. There are lots of places in the rules which allow a choice of procedure. You may not have any way of knowing that your original ball has found the perfect lie with a clear opening and choose to continue play with the provisional ball. That is the choice you make. If I believe that there is any reasonable possibility that my original ball may be playable, I will at least make a perfunctory search before playing on with the provisional. At other times, there is no reason to even make the effort. That is the only choice you are making.

after your second shot (wifff) I beleive you may use the unplayable rule and drop where you played the shot. then from there use the unplayable again to go back to your tee shot. there you will play your 5th shot.

I'll have to check this but It reminds a bell.

actually no, unplayable rule and decision 28/5 shows that your only option after the second shot (for example) is to use the unplayable rule on a lateral basis as many times as necessary to get releif and continu the hole.